Frank W. Darling

Frank W. Darling (18721952) was a builder of many iconic amusement parks including an installation at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition in Wembley , the novelty complex "American Department Store" at Coney Island and Playland in Rye, New York.

Early years Darling and his brother, the American cartoonist Ding Darling, grew up in Michigan before moving to Iowa. Their father was a Greek professor at Albion College, and later a Congregational minister. In 1926, the NAAP counted 1500 amusement park owners as members and represented 400 parks.

British Empire Exhibition Darling's association with exhilarating amusement park rides earned him the nickname "Switchback King."

Playland

With his entertainment credentials well established, in 1927, Darling was selected by the Westchester County Parks Commission to build "Playland" at Rye beach. Shortly thereafter, he became the amusement park's manager and director.

From the very beginning of his employment by the Westchester County Parks Commission, Darling's activities were scrutinized by others who claimed the County had excluded local contractors from competitive bidding. Following allegations of mismanagement and negative publicity, Darling resigned from Playland in 1933. From there he went on to build the famous Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center.

Children's World Darling was still sought after in the 1930s. He was tapped to design Children's World for the 1939 World's Fair held in New York. The undertaking was funded and directed by philanthropist Joan Payson. Darling planned a seven-acre entertainment complex among the many World's Fair pavilions and attractions with a projected cost of $1,000,000. The venue was created to appeal to 4 -14 year olds. The "little world's fair" within a larger world's fair was the culmination of the then 66-year old Darling's vision to build a juvenile entertainment and recreation center.